Alien Registration and Other Formalities

1. Alien Registration

Under the Alien Registration Law, all foreigners living in Japan must register at the local government office in the area in which they reside.

(1) At the time of admission to the university

Students who are going to live in Nara must complete registration at the Alien Registration Section of the Citizens' Affairs department, Nara city, within 90 days of their arrival in Japan. At the window,they will be asked to present their passport and two photos (4cm by 3cm in size).

When the registration is completed, they will be given a Certificate of Alien Registration. They are required to carry this certificate wherever they go. At the same time, they must apply for a Certificate of the Completion of Alien Registration, which they have to submit to their university office at the time of registration in the university.

(2) While in the university

Any change in the entries on the Certificate of Alien Registration (e.g. Address) must be reported to the city government office within 14 days.

The certificate of Alien Registration is valid for five years. When students stay in Japan over five years, they must renew the registration at least 30 days before it expires, taking their passport and two photos (4cm by 3cm in size) to the city government office.

2. Extension of Period Stay

Foreign students are permitted to stay in Japan for one year. If they have to stay in Japan over one year, they must apply for an extension each year.

The formalities necessary for an extension of stay must be completed at the Immigration Office (the branch office) within a month before the authorized period of stay expires. In applying for an extension of stay, students will be asked to prepare the following:

  1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay (the form is provided by the Immigration office(the branch office))
  2. Statement of Reasons for Extension of Stay
  3. School Certificate(issued by the irrespective faculty offices, etc.)
  4. School Transcript (issued by their faculty offices, etc.)
  5. Documents proving the applicant's ability to bear all the expenses necessary during their stay in Japan (only private-expense foreign students)
  6. Letter that explains what to do after graduation or completion. (Foreign students themselves have to write in Japanese)
  7. Letter of grantee issued by a grantor living in Japan (For Japanese Government Scholarship students, the Certificate of guarantee)
  8. A document that certifies the ability to serve as student's guarantor. (for private - expense foreign students)
  9. passport
  10. Certificate of Alien Registration
  11. Handling fee

3. Temporary Leave and Re- entry

If students wish to leave Japan for a short period,they have to obtain the permission of their academic advisors. They also have to report to the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division, and then visit the Immigration Office (the branch office) and obtain a re-entry permit before they leave Japan. Without this permit, they may not be able to return to Japan on schedule because of the formalities they will have to follow to obtain permission of re - entry. This normally takes one month or more.

Students are also strongly advised to return to Japan within the period of re-entry specified in the permit; otherwise,they will have to make a new application for entry to Japan. This can prove quite burdensome.

4. Change of Status

Students are normally given a visa with student status. If they are admitted under different status temporarily, they must consult with the clerks in the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division and then visit the Immigration Office (the branch office) and proceed for change of status.

5. Activities Other Than Those Permitted under the Student Status

Students are permitted to enter Japan for the purpose of study and research. Under Immigration Control and Refugee - Recognition Act, they are only authorized to engage i n activities related to this purpose.

If they wish to work part- time because of unavoidable conditions while they are in student activities, they must be permitted under the student status in advance. Even if they work part time with permission under the student status, they should work without impeding their own study or research.

For details, they must consult with the clerks in the Student Welfare Section in the Student Welfare Division or the clerks in the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division.

6. About the Nara Branch Office of the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau

4-1, Higashikideracho 3-chome Nara city
Nara Dai 2 Homu Sogo Chosha
Tel. 0742 - 23 - 6501
Fax. 0742 - 23 - 6602

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